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NSPRA Plus About NSPRA
If you communicate on behalf of a regional education service agency and provide communications support to multiple districts, this track is for you.
Providing communications support to multiple school districts requires a different approach than working within a single system. Regional service agency communicators must respond to diverse needs, support districts with varying communications capacity and build relationships that allow them to provide effective guidance and support.
The Regional Education Services track of NSPRA Academy is designed specifically for professionals working in regional education service agencies, including ESAs, BOCES, AEAs, ESDs and similar organizations.
Through practical tools, shared examples and structured frameworks, participants will learn how to provide meaningful, sustainable communication support while building trust and credibility with the districts and leaders they serve.
Enroll Your Way: NSPRA Academy offers flexible purchasing options! Enroll in the full track for the complete learning experience or choose individual modules based on your professional development needs.
Registration Information
By the end of the Regional Education Services track, participants will:
Participants will work with the course facilitator on completing their capstone project, a research-driven strategic communication plan for their school, school district or educational service agency.
Enroll in the full course for comprehensive development, or choose individual modules tailored to your needs.
Each live, virtual module will be two hours in length, beginning at 2 p.m. ET (1 p.m. CT, 12 p.m. MT, 11 a.m. PT).
Can't attend a module live? All modules will be recorded and available for participants to catch up on-demand for a flexible learning experience.
Sessions will be facilitated by NSPRA Manager of Professional Development and Member Engagement Melissa McConnell and led by NSPRA members with expertise and experience in each module's focus area.
Module 1: Thursday, September 17, 2026 (2 - 4 p.m. ET, Virtual): Understanding Your Role in the Ecosystem
Regional service agency communicators often work within a complex network of organizational leaders, district administrators and other stakeholders. This module will help participants clarify their role, identify the audiences they serve and better articulate the value communications brings to both their organization and the districts it supports.
Participants will explore how their role and influence shape strategic communication decisions and identify ways to position themselves as trusted communication partners to district and organizational leaders.
Module 2: Thursday, October 15, 2026 (2 - 4 p.m. ET, Virtual): Communicating Across Multiple Districts
Supporting multiple districts means balancing consistency and efficiency with the different needs, priorities and communication capacities of each system. This module will explore strategies for providing communication support that creates value without relying on a one-size-fits-all approach.
Participants will examine ways to move beyond transactional communication, develop systems for sharing timely and useful information, amplify organizational and district stories, and determine when communication should be standardized or customized.
Module 3: Thursday, October 29, 2026 (2 - 4 p.m. ET, Virtual): Building Systems That Scale
Providing sustainable communications support to multiple districts requires systems that extend beyond the work of one communicator. This module will explore how internal communication, organizational culture, onboarding and staff engagement can strengthen a regional agency's overall communication capacity.
Participants will examine strategies for building shared understanding, creating repeatable communication processes and equipping employees to serve as informed ambassadors for the organization. The goal: stronger internal systems that make it easier to provide consistent, effective support to the districts the agency serves.
Module 4: Thursday, November 12, 2026 (2 - 4 p.m. ET, Virtual): Building Trust and Credibility Across Multiple Districts
Regional service agency communicators must build productive relationships with districts that may have different priorities, perspectives and expectations. This module will explore how communicators can establish trust, maintain credibility and strengthen their influence while supporting multiple school systems.
Participants will work through real-world scenarios involving differing district perspectives, sensitive issues and organizational boundaries while developing strategies for maintaining strong relationships and providing trusted communication counsel over time.
School PR professionals are often expected to wear many hats—from media relations and social media management to photography, graphic design, website updates, and visual storytelling. While it can be difficult to develop expertise in every area, understanding the fundamentals and knowing where to focus your growth can help build confidence and effectiveness over time.
In this fast-paced, practical session, participants will learn from experienced school communication professionals who will share real-world tips, tools, workflows, and lessons learned across several core areas of school PR. Through a series of focused spotlight presentations, attendees will gain actionable strategies they can apply immediately, discover resources that support continued learning, and explore approaches used by practitioners in districts of all sizes. The session concludes with guided reflection and professional growth planning, helping participants identify strengths, prioritize future learning opportunities, and create a personalized roadmap for continued development as school communication leaders.
Module-Level Learning Objectives:
By the end of this module, participants will be able to:
Register: Module 1 (Sep. 17) Understanding Your Role in the Ecosystem
Register: Module 2 (Oct. 15): Communicating Across Multiple Districts
Register: Module 3 (Oct. 29): Building Systems That Scale
Register: Module 4 (Nov. 12): Building Trust and Credibility Across Multiple Districts